Monitoring Postoperative Weight Changes following Reduction Mammaplasty in Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Macromastia can limit a woman’s ability to exercise. Reduction mammaplasty has been reported to subjectively improve exercise capability and stimulate weight loss. Considering the lack of published quantitative data, the authors sought to examine change in weight and body mass index (BMI) in adolescent women following reduction mammaplasty. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed of patients younger than 21 years who underwent reduction mammaplasty at the authors’ institution from 2015 through 2019. Results: Fifty-six patients with follow-up weight measurements were included in the analysis. The median follow-up time was 46.0 months. Only 22 patients (39.3%) experienced a decrease in BMI at final follow-up compared with baseline. Patients classified as having a healthy weight preoperatively (BMI, 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2) experienced a significant increase in BMI at 2-year, 3-year, 5-year, and final postoperative follow-up visits, compared with baseline. Patients classified as overweight (BMI, 25.0 to 29.99 kg/m2) or obese (≥30 kg/m2) did not experience significant BMI change at final postoperative follow-up. Conclusions: BMI and weight trended upward postoperatively regardless of BMI classification. Reduction mammaplasty alone is not sufficient to stimulate weight loss. Healthy lifestyle changes should be encouraged to help prevent weight gain in adolescent women following reduction mammaplasty. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.